Client Story

Barronelle Stutzman

Barronelle Stutzman, the sole owner of Arlene’s Flowers in Richland, Washington, has served and employed people who identify as homosexual for her entire career. Despite this, the American Civil Liberties Union and the Washington Attorney General claim that she is guilty of unlawful discrimination when she acted consistent with her faith and declined to use her creative skills to beautify the same-sex ceremony of a long-time customer, Robert Ingersoll, and another man, Curt Freed.

“You have to make a stand somewhere in your life on what you believe and what you don't believe,” Barronelle told CBN in an interview. "It was just a time I had to take a stand."
After hearing about Barronelle’s decision in the news, the Washington State attorney general decided to take matters into his own hands, and sued her. The ACLU followed close behind. Both lawsuits attack not only her business, but Barronelle personally.
Alliance Defending Freedom asked the court to dismiss the attorney general’s lawsuit since he was not personally involved in the incident, and filed a countersuit against him. They also asked the court to protect Barronelle from personal attacks from the ACLU and the state, and restrict the lawsuits to her business, Arlene’s Flowers.

The court ruled against Barronelle and ordered her to pay penalties and attorneys’ fees.

ADF petitioned the Washington Supreme Court to take up Barronelle’s case, and, in March 2016, the court agreed. Oral arguments were heard on November 15, 2016 at Bellevue College.

In February 2017, the Washington Supreme Court concluded that the government can force her—and, by extension, other Washingtonians—to create artistic expression and participate in events with which they disagree.

In July 2017, ADF petitioned the U.S. Supreme Court to take up Barronelle's case. We are awaiting the Court's decision.

Create Freely

Alliance Defending Freedom is here to protect the right of creative professionals to use their God-given talents in ways that are consistent with their beliefs.

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What's at stake

The right of Christian business owners to avoid participation in same-sex ceremonies.

The right of artistic professionals to express themselves without government coercion to express views with which they disagree.

Summary

A long time customer of florist Barronelle Stutzman’s asked her to design and create the flowers for his same-sex ceremony. She politely told him that she couldn’t participate in the ceremony because of her religious beliefs, but she referred him to three other florists who did not have the same conviction. After the customer’s partner described the situation on his Facebook page, Barronelle was faced with a barrage of media inquiries, hate mail and phone calls, and even death threats.
After learning about the situation in the media, the Washington state attorney general filed a lawsuit against Barronelle, claiming that she was required to participate in same-sex ceremonies by Washington law. Shortly after that, the ACLU also sued Barronelle on behalf of the same-sex couple.

The court ruled against Barronelle and ordered her to pay penalties and attorneys’ fees.

ADF petitioned the Washington Supreme Court to take up Barronelle’s case, and, in March 2016, the court agreed. Oral arguments were heard on November 15, 2016 at Bellevue College.

In February 2017, the Washington Supreme Court concluded that the government can force her—and, by extension, other Washingtonians—to create artistic expression and participate in events with which they disagree.

In July 2017, ADF petitioned the U.S. Supreme Court to take up Barronelle's case. We are awaiting the Court's decision.

Our role in this case

We represent Barronelle in both cases, defending her from the state and the ACLU. We also assisted Barronelle in suing the attorney general to vindicate her constitutional right to be free from the government compelling her to participate in a same-sex ceremony in violation of her conscience.

Summary

Barronelle Stutzman, the sole owner of Arlene’s Flowers in Richland, Washington, has for her entire career served and employed people who identify as homosexual. Despite this, the American Civil Liberties Union and the Washington attorney general allege that she is guilty of unlawful discrimination because she acted consistent with her faith and declined to use her creative skills to design floral arrangements for the same-sex ceremony of a long-time customer, Robert Ingersoll, and another man, Curt Freed.

Washington Supreme Court will hear case over floral artist’s freedom

Religious Freedom

Barronelle Stutzman, the sole owner of Arlene’s Flowers in Richland, Wash., has for her entire career served and employed people who identify as homosexual. Despite this, the American Civil Liberties Union and the Washington attorney general allege that she is guilty of unlawful discrimination because she acted consistent with her faith and declined to use her creative skills to beautify the same-sex ceremony of a long-time customer, Robert Ingersoll, and another man, Curt Freed.

Religious Freedom

Arlene’s Flowers owner Barronelle Stutzman and Alliance Defending Freedom Legal Counsel Kellie Fiedorek will be available for media interviews immediately following the Kennewick City Council hearing regarding the Freedom of Conscience Resolution.